Near Field Communication (NFC) is a wireless communication protocol with several applications. From tap-based payments to sharing information, NFC offers a convenient and secure way to transfer small sensitive data wirelessly.
NFC is slower than Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, which are capable of significantly higher speeds; you can use NFC to transfer the occasional photo or contact information to another device. However, its applications are spread across separate domains with respect to Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.
NFC: A Different Way to Go Wireless
Imagine viewing a website on your phone and wanting to share it with a friend. You’ll have to copy a link into a messaging app and share it with your friend. Using NFC, you tap the back of your phone to the back of your friend’s NFC phone. The receiver deciphers the incoming signal and opens the website on the phone’s browser within seconds.
NFC also allows you to program tiny NFC tags that passively store information that you can use to share information. For example, you can use an NFC tag to hold your home’s Wi-Fi password. So, when you have friends over, they can tap their NFC phone on the tag and connect to the Wi-Fi instantly.
Using NFC tags, you can conveniently save phone settings and configurations from programming your device based on your preferences. You can easily program an NFC tag to store your phone’s settings, including screen brightness, ringtone volume, enabling Bluetooth, and whatnot. With NFC, your phone will read the tag and instantly configure your phone’s settings to your preferences.
Of course, its most popular application is for making touch-based payments using for phone or smartwatch. All you have to do is save your bank card details, and the merchant’s NFC scanner will accept payment when you tap your device on its sensor.
NFC’s Security
Physical proximity is crucial to this form of wireless communication. Thus, do not worry about password hacking or malicious content creeping into your devices. So, the applications of this technology are mainly limited by one’s imagination. Think of it as whispering in someone’s ear in a crowded area where everyone is in earshot, but only the intended receiver gets the message due to their proximity.
NFC’s security is versatile, and you can program devices to authenticate the sender and receiver using this communication channel. To secure your NFC-based payments, you can program your device to prompt you for a confirmation to avoid malicious threats.
Table of Contents
- NFC: A Different Way to Go Wireless
- NFC’s Security
- Comparison of the Best Budget Phones with NFC
- 1. Samsung Galaxy A23 5G – Our Choice
- 2. Google Pixel 6a – Excellent Cameras
- 3.Motorola Edge+ 5G –Snapdragon 8 Gen 1
- 4. OnePlus Nord CE 2 – Superfast Charging
- 5. Nokia G50 5G – Cheapest
- 6. TCL 30 5G – Good Battery Life
- 7. Samsung Galaxy A53 5G – Brilliant Screen
- 8. Poco X4 Pro 5G – 108MP Camera
- Budget Phone with NFC – Frequently Asked Questions
Comparison of the Best Budget Phones with NFC
| Image | Product | Details | Check Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Samsung Galaxy A23 5G | Screen: 6.6” LCD IPS Resolution: 1080x2408 pixels Rear Camera: 50MP, 5MP, 2MP, and 2MP Front Camera: 8MP Processor: Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G RAM: 4GB Storage: 64GB Frequency: GSM/HSPA/LTE/5G Dual SIM: Yes Weight: 197 grams Release Date: Sept 2022 | Buy on Amazon |
 | Google Pixel 6a | Screen: 6.1” OLED Resolution: 1080x2400 pixels Rear Camera: 12.2MP and 12MP Front Camera: 8MP Processor: Google Tensor 5nm Octa-Core RAM: 6GB Storage: 128GB Frequency: GSM/HSPA/LTE/5G Dual SIM: No Weight: 178 grams Release Date: July 2022 | Buy on Amazon |
 | Motorola Edge+ 5G | Screen: 6.7” OLED Resolution: 1080x2400 pixels Rear Camera: 50MP, 50MP, and 2MP Front Camera: 60MP Processor: Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 RAM: 8GB Storage: 512GB Frequency: GSM/CDMA/HSPA/LTE/5G Dual SIM: No Weight: 196 grams Release Date: March 2022 | Buy on Amazon |
 | OnePlus Nord CE 2 | Screen: 6.43” AMOLED Resolution: 1080x2400 pixels Rear Camera: 64MP, 8MP, and 2MP Front Camera: 16MP Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 900 RAM: 8GB Storage: 128GB Frequency: GSM/HSPA/LTE/5G Dual SIM: Yes Weight: 173 grams Release Date: Apr 2022 | Buy on Amazon |
 | Nokia G50 5G | Screen: 6.2” LCD IPS Resolution: 720x1560 pixels Rear Camera: 48MP, 5MP, and 2MP Front Camera: 8MP Processor: Qualcomm SM4350 Snapdragon 480 5G RAM: 4GB Storage: 128GB Frequency: GSM/HSPA/LTE/5G Dual SIM: No Weight: 220 grams Release Date: Sept 2021 | Buy on Amazon |
 | TCL 30 5G | Screen: 6.7” AMOLED Resolution: 1080x2400 pixels Rear Camera: 50MP, 2MP, and 2MP Front Camera: 13MP Processor: Mediatek MT6833 Dimensity 700 RAM: 4GB Storage: 128GB Frequency: GSM/HSPA/LTE/5G Dual SIM: No Weight: 184 grams Release Date: Dec 2022 | Buy on Amazon |
 | Samsung Galaxy A53 5G | Screen: 6.5” AMOLED Resolution: 1080x2400 pixels Rear Camera: 64MP, 12MP, 5MP, and 5MP Front Camera: 32MP Processor: Exynos 1280 RAM: 6GB Storage: 128GB Frequency: GSM/HSPA/LTE/5G Dual SIM: Yes Weight: 189 grams Release Date: March 2022 | Buy on Amazon |
 | Poco X4 Pro 5G | Screen: 6.67” AMOLED Resolution: 1080x2400 pixels Rear Camera: 108MP, 8MP, and 2MP Front Camera: 16MP Processor: Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G RAM: 6GB Storage: 128GB Frequency: GSM/HSPA/LTE/5G Dual SIM: Yes Weight: 205 grams Release Date: March 2022 | Buy on Amazon |
1. Samsung Galaxy A23 5G – Our Choice
The Samsung Galaxy A23 5G is our choice of the best budget NFC phone for several reasons besides the price.
It has excellent mid-range specifications that offer great utility. It also features dual SIM slots to maintain two cellular connections on one device. Moreover, it’s unlocked by Samsung, allowing you to choose the carrier and data plan that best suits your usage.
Despite the pocket-friendly price, Samsung includes a 50MP f/1.8 wide camera along with 5MP f/2.2 123-degree ultrawide lens. You also get two 2MP camera lenses for depth and macro photography. Being a budget pick, unfortunately, the phone doesn’t support 4K video recording, and you will miss an OLED screen, a feature that is the norm for several budget phones with NFC.
Nevertheless, the A23 5G is an excellent pick as it’s compatible with mobile networks worldwide, and with 5G support, you can easily stream high-quality videos on the go.
It’s a functional phone with a Snapdragon 695 processor, 4GB RAM, and 64GB storage, which is expandable up to 1TB. The RAM is low, and it’s advisable to close inactive apps running in the background to maximize the phone’s performance. Or, you can select a variant with a higher RAM capacity, as Samsung offers up to 8GB RAM with the top variant.
Nevertheless, the phone’s most significant features are the 5G support, battery life, and high-resolution camera.
- The fast-charging 5000mAh battery lasts a long time.
- The 50MP camera ensures excellent picture clarity.
- The dual SIM slots enable two connections on one phone.
- It supports 5G for high-speed internet connectivity.
- Expandable storage of up to 1TB provides plenty of room for your photos.
- The phone seems underpowered with 4GB RAM.
- No support for 4K video recording.
- Lackluster visual performance due to its LCD screen.
2. Google Pixel 6a – Excellent Cameras
Usually, you won’t find a Google Pixel phone on a list of “budget” phones, but the Pixel 6a is an exception. It has NFC, but its most stand-out feature is the set of cameras the Google Pixel phone is known for.
The Pixel 6a has a 12.2MP f/1.7 27mm 1/2.55” 1.4µm for wide-angle shots and a 12MP f/2.2 17mm 1.25µm for ultrawide photos. Along with these impressive lenses, Google ensures superior image quality by offering features like Real Tone, Face Unblur, Magic Eraser, and Night Sight. Thus, the images look lifelike, and colors appear vibrant even in low light conditions.
While Snapdragon processors are the norm in the mobile industry, Google introduced the Tensor processor. Regarding performance, the Tensor doesn’t quite match up to the Snapdragon 888 processor. But considering that the Snapdragon 888 is at the higher end of the spectrum, the Tensor is a worthy opponent considering the price of the Pixel 6a.
Unlike the Samsung A23, which is similarly priced, the Pixel 6a allows 4K video recording and comes with 6GB RAM and 128GB storage. There are no RAM and storage variants as you get with the A23, but the native configuration won’t let you down even at peak performance. And with 5G, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity, the Pixel 6a provides several high-speed connectivity options.
- Excellent cameras ensure lifelike photos.
- It has 5G, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.2 for high-speed wireless connectivity.
- The IP67 rating protects it from dust and water.
- It supports 4K@60fps and 1080@240fps video recording.
- No 3.4mm audio jack to connect headphones.
- No dual SIM slots for additional phone connection.
3.Motorola Edge+ 5G –Snapdragon 8 Gen 1
The Motorola Edge+ 5G is on the expensive side of the budget phone spectrum. But if you want a high-performance phone with an excellent camera, the Motorola Edge+ 5G is the best bet.
The phone has a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor that Motorola pairs with 8GB RAM and 512GB storage, making it powerful for any mobile gaming need. And if you want more power, the Edge+ 5G comes with variants of up to 12GB RAM, so you can run all the games and apps you want.
Besides sheer processing power, the Motorola Edge+ 5G has an excellent set of high-resolution cameras, including two 50MP lenses, one each for wide and ultrawide angle shots. While most budget phones only offer 1080p video recording, the Edge+ allows 8K@30fps on the primary camera. Interestingly, even the 60MP selfie (front) camera provides video recording up to 4K@30fps.
Good cameras are only helpful if you have an equally good screen to view the pictures. The Edge+ 5G has a 6.7-inch OLED display that supports HDR10+ and has a refresh rate of 144Hz. It supports one billion colors for lifelike images and has a resolution of 1080×2400 pixels with a pixel density of approximately 393ppi.
- It supports 8K@30fps, 4K@60fps, and 1080@960fps video recording.
- Powerful specifications that deliver top-notch performance.
- It has 5G, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.2 for high-speed wireless connectivity.
- The OLED screen delivers excellent image quality.
- Wireless charging on a budget phone.
- No 3.4mm audio jack to connect headphones.
- No dual SIM slots for additional phone connection.
- Poor build quality gives the phone a substandard feel.
4. OnePlus Nord CE 2 – Superfast Charging
OnePlus offers the Nord CE 2 with a 65W SuperVOOC charger that gives your phone a full charge in 30 minutes. Further, the phone is well-rounded in what it offers, which is typical of OnePlus, considering its past offerings.
First up, the specifications. You get a MediaTek MT6877 Dimensity 900 octa-core processor that is well known for its high performance. OnePlus also offers a massive 8GB of RAM. Surprisingly, you only get 128GB of storage. So, you will need more space if you plan to use the excellent set of cameras the phone offers.
The phone has 64MP, 8MP, and 2MP cameras offering wide, ultra-wide, and macro shots. The well-lit compositions produce excellent photos. However, the low-light and night shots leave a lot to be desired. For video recording, you get two resolution options. These are the 4K@30fps or the 1080@120fps (also 1080@60fps and 1080@30fps). Thus, using the MicroSD slot and expanding the 128GB storage is highly recommended.
The Nord CE 2 has a 6.43-inch AMOLED display, 90Hz refresh rate, and 1080×2400 pixel resolution. And the visuals appear bright and colorful with the HDR10+ support. The phone uses Corning Gorilla Glass 5. So, your display screen remains safe from accidental falls, nicks, and scratches commonly seen over regular use.
Lastly, OnePlus offers GSM quad-band support and dual SIM slots. So you do not face compatibility issues while traveling. And you can retain your home SIM card while using a local SIM.
- The battery charges to 100% in 30mins.
- The OLED display supports high brightness levels and vivid color representations.
- Gorilla Glass 5 keeps your display screen safe from accidental falls.
- Dual-SIM support allows you to use two connections on one phone.
- Low storage for the price you pay.
- Low-light photos on the camera appear dull.
5. Nokia G50 5G – Cheapest
The G50 5G is the cheapest unlocked 5G NFC phone on the market. While it is a good phone for the price, be informed that Nokia cuts several corners to keep its price in check.
The phone has a Snapdragon 480 processor, whereas most budget phones offer the Snapdragon 695. Thus, you get a slower processor that SoC supports, a lower resolution display, and cameras with fewer megapixels.
These specifications are apparent when considering the 720x1560pixel screen and the 48MP primary camera of the Nokia G50 5G. However, Nokia doesn’t compromise on connectivity and ensures you get 5G, Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth 5.0. You get all the bells and whistles, including GPS, Galileo, NFC, and USB-C 2.0 with OTG support.
And while the cameras can only capture 1080p@30fps, Nokia focuses on providing more functional phone use. It does this by including a generous 5000mAh battery, and because the SoC is less demanding than other budget picks, Nokia claims the battery will last up to two days. However, take that with a pinch of salt.
The Nokia G50 5G provides you less bang for your buck, especially considering the marginal price difference compared to the A23 from Samsung. But it is the cheapest phone on our list, providing you with a great set of useful features and good battery life.
- It supports 5G networks for high-speed wireless connectivity.
- Wi-Fi 6 support provides faster network connectivity.
- Excellent battery life.
- Good build quality, which makes the phone durable.
- Images look sub-standard on its low-resolution screen.
- At 220g, it’s the heaviest budget phone on our list.
- Avg. picture quality at best.
6. TCL 30 5G – Good Battery Life
Besides a 5010mAh battery that will last you an entire day of hectic usage, the TCL 30 has several noteworthy features for a budget offering.
For instance, the TCL 30’s 6.7-inch AMOLED display has a peak brightness of 900nits, making it the brightest screen on our list of budget NFC phones. The phone also has a 50MP AI camera that produces incredible HDR results even in low-light conditions.
The phone offers GPS, Galileo, BDS, and GLONASS, making it perfect when you need navigation and location-based apps. TCL includes Bluetooth 5.1 and supports A2DP for your music needs and Bluetooth LE to ensure a stable connection with your fitness tracker or NFC-enabled smartwatch.
The only downside of the phone is the support for Wi-Fi 5. It is easy to find budget NFC phones with similar pricing that offer Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E; we have already listed a few. Even so, the TCL 30 5G is an excellent pick because of its thin and light form factor. The phone weighs 184g and is one of the most lightweight phones on our list. And despite the 6.7-inch screen, the TCL 30’s 7.74mm thickness ensures the phone will easily fit in your pocket.
- It supports 5G networks for high-speed wireless connectivity.
- Excellent battery life.
- Thin and lightweight design.
- The memory card slot enables you to expand storage up to 1TB.
- TUV Rheinland Low Blue Light Certification ensures minimal eye strain.
- No Wi-Fi 6/6E support.
- It only has 4GB RAM and no other variants.
- No 4K video recording
7. Samsung Galaxy A53 5G – Brilliant Screen
The Samsung Galaxy A53 5G is an excellent budget NFC phone with a magnificent display. The 6.5-inch AMOLED screen has a 1080×2400 pixel resolution with a peak brightness of 800nits and a 120Hz refresh rate, the perfect combination for enjoying HDR content on the move.
The phone has excellent cameras, including a 64MP f/1.8 wide angle, 12MP f/2.2 ultrawide, and two 5MP f/2.4 cameras (for macro and depth shots). Samsung also includes a 32MP f/2.2 front-facing camera to take stunning selfies. Unfortunately, despite the impressive camera, the camera’s software is a bit of a letdown, and the resulting pictures leave you disappointed. But all cameras support 4K@30fps video recording, so there is little else to complain about.
The A53 is a beautiful phone; besides aesthetics, Samsung ensures you get excellent specifications. For this, Samsung includes their Exynos 1280 processor, which they pair with 6GB RAM and 128GB storage, giving you a powerful phone that lets you achieve more.
Lastly, the A53 also includes a 5000mAh battery that’ll give your phone a long battery life. And if the 6GB RAM and 128GB storage are inadequate for your needs, you can choose a variant that offers up to 8GB RAM and 256GB storage. Else, you if want to expand the storage, you can use the media card reader concealed in the SIM slot to expand storage up to 1TB.
- Powerful performance with advanced specifications.
- A brilliant screen for viewing HDR content.
- A wide range of cameras equips you excellently for various types of shots.
- The cameras support 4K video recording.
- The expandable memory helps customize your storage needs.
- No 3.5mm audio jack for attaching earphones.
8. Poco X4 Pro 5G – 108MP Camera
The Poco X4 Pro 5G offers an OLED screen that measures 6.67 inches. The screen provides vivid colors and an insane brightness level at 1200nit. Further, the phone comes pre-set at a 60Hz refresh rate, which you can increase to 120Hz for a smoother visual display. And to keep the screen safe from damage, the Poco X4 Pro 5G comes with Corning Gorilla Glass 5.
The phone offers a Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G octa-core processor. You also get 6GB RAM and 128GB storage with the option to increase the repository using the microSD card slot.
On the camera front, the phone comes with three on the rear panel. You get a colossal 108MP camera with f/1.9 aperture for wide-angle shots. Additionally, there is an 8MP camera with f/2.2 and a 2MP with f/2.4 aperture for ultrawide and macro shots, respectively. The selfie camera is 16MP with an f/2.5 aperture.
Lastly, the X4 Pro is compatible with GSM quad-band and features a dual-SIM slot. Thus, you can roam the world freely and use a local SIM card wherever you go. The phone does not support a CDMA network, so make sure your cellular service provider uses a GSM network.
- The incredible display screen offers high brightness levels.
- Long battery life thanks to the 5000mAh battery.
- Dual-SIM support allows you to use two connections on one phone.
- Gorilla Glass 5 keeps your display screen safe from accidental falls.
- The phone does not support 4K video recording.
- The cameras do not give the best quality pictures consistently.
Budget Phone with NFC – Frequently Asked Questions
What is NFC?
NFC, or Near Field Communication, is a wireless communication medium that uses electromagnetic signals. It requires the sender and receiver to be close to each other. Typically, this proximity is 4cms. or less. It allows you to transfer small data packets between NFC devices or tags.
What are NFC Tags?
NFC tags are microchips that can store small units of data. You can program an NFC Tag to save data like your Wi-Fi password, credit card details, and whatnot. Then, you can share this data using an NFC-enabled phone by tapping the tag momentarily. Thus allowing for a convenient way to transfer data between devices.
Are all phones NFC enabled?
No, the first NFC-enabled phone was introduced only in 2010. It is a relatively new technology that is still gaining popularity. However, most new Android phones feature NFC.
What data speeds does NFC support?
NFC supports a bit rate of up to 424 kbps, which is far less than what other wireless communication technologies like Bluetooth and Wi-Fi support. Hence, NFC has limited applications that are less versatile than Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.
Can I transfer a 100MB file using NFC?
Yes, you can. However, it would be highly impractical considering the size of the file and the 424kbps bit rate of NFC. The 424kbps bit rate allows you to transfer 53KB per second. A 100MB is about 102400KB, meaning sharing such a file will take slightly over 32 minutes. Using Bluetooth, you can transfer the file in a fraction of the time, depending on your Bluetooth version.
Is NFC better than Bluetooth?
NFC and Bluetooth differ in their applications. NFC is a more secure wireless medium as it uses short-range electromagnetic signals. Thus, the receiver must be in close proximity to be able to use this medium.
Bluetooth communications are vulnerable to hackers but offer higher data transfer speeds over a more extended range.
